Durham Cricket League: Drama at Durham City in rare tied match against Mainsforth

Durham City and Mainsforth served up a memorable, and rare, tied Division One match, with the scores finishing level in a dramatic finish on Saturday.
Littletown's Jack Weeks bowls to Dawdon's Jamie Greenwood on the way to a five-wicket haul on Saturday. Picture by Kevin BradyLittletown's Jack Weeks bowls to Dawdon's Jamie Greenwood on the way to a five-wicket haul on Saturday. Picture by Kevin Brady
Littletown's Jack Weeks bowls to Dawdon's Jamie Greenwood on the way to a five-wicket haul on Saturday. Picture by Kevin Brady

City impressed in totalling 267-2 declared in 41 overs, led by Tom Balkwill’s unbeaten 125. Fellow opener James Atkinson added 50 and James Hindmarsh 29, with Callum Steel contributing an unbeaten 52.

Winless bottom club Mainsforth were close to winning, and losing, in a spirited response, which ended, after 54 overs on 267-9.

Dawdon's Faz Hussain bats against Littletown.Dawdon's Faz Hussain bats against Littletown.
Dawdon's Faz Hussain bats against Littletown.
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Aidan Cummings top-scored with 65, backed by middle order colleagues John Cavanagh (51) and Brady Smith (50), with Nick Howe (4-33) the top bowler. Paul Moralee bagged 2-40 and Hindmarsh 2-52.

Lowly Horden went down by 58 runs at second-top Crook, who enjoyed their 11th win in 14 league games.

Crook declared on 210-8 after 45 oversold by Daniel Doram (48, with six fours and two sixes), Andrew Burgess (47, with seven fours and two sixes) and No 10 David Embleton (45no, with eight boundaries).

Four Horden bowlers took two wickets apiece: Scott Birks (2-49), Adam Dixon (2-40), Adam Scott (2-55) and Wayne Birks (2-40).

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Openers Liam Irving (33) and Adam Dixon (43), with six boundaries apiece, gave Horden a good start to their reply, putting on 63 for the first wicket.

But they slipped to 107-7, with only Scott Birks (19no) and Paul Dixon (13) steadying the ship to much effect. Steven Chapman snatched 5-33, with William Angus taking 3-23.

Easington still lead the way at the top, following a 74-run win at home to Seaham Park.

The table-toppers batted first and made a healthy 218-9, thanks to Omar Shahid bashing 79, with Martin Stevenson and Anthony Watson taking three wickets apiece.

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Seaham Park had a go in their response, but they were bowled out for 144, with Duvindu Tillakaratne doing the business with the ball, taking 4-26.

Virat Singh top-scored with 44 and Stephenson (38) kept them at bay for a while, but Easington’s victory was deserved.

Philadelphia picked up a narrow 15-run success away to Bill Quay.

Rameez Shahzad hit 36 as Phili made 166 all out, tormented by the bowling of Jarod Van Blerk, who took a brilliant 6-38.

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In reply, the home side fell short, back in the pavilion for 151 desite a fine 56 from opener David Hill. Nobody could stay with him as Reece Wood claimed a vital 4-32 to win the game for the Bunker Hill men.

Third-placed Esh Winning held firm to pip hosts Tudhoe by a single run.

Esh declared on 182-9 after 44 overs, with 45 apiece from Jonathan Hodgson and Paul Chivers leading the way, while Roshan Jayatissa took 5-30.

Dan Thexton hit 10 fours and three sixes in 98 for Tudhoe, off 196 balls before he was the last man out, trapped in front by Chivers. Only Daniel Brown (21) offered much support as the home side fell agonisingly short on 181 all out, with Chivers snaffling 5-40. Billy Storey took 2-8 and Hodgson 2-26.

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Whiteleas & Harton gave themselves a huge boost in their fight against relegation, when they beat neighbours Marsden by seven wickets.

The visitors made just 104 all out, thanks to Hafiz Aleem taking an excellent 5-31, while Bilawal Iqbal returned 3-41.

Nathan Ullah then batted well and scored 55 to ensure the spoils went Leas’ way in a final total of 105-3.